Archive for November, 2010

Album of the day: Wind – Seasons

Posted on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Praise for Wind‘s Seasons from San Francisco’s aQuarius Records: We couldn’t remember why, exactly, must have read about it sometime long ago in a krautrock reference book, like the Crack In The Cosmic Egg perhaps, but we knew that as fans of early HEAVY ’70s stuff – psych, prog, krautrock, proto-metal, what have you – that apparently the German band Wind’s 1971 debut Seasons was one to watch out for. Well, it finally just got reissued via the Long Hair label (who have recently brought us several kraut-prog winners from Cannabis India, Mammut, and Et Cetera, amongst others) and so, already curious about it, we ordered a copy of it in…

First impression, before we even put it on, from looking at the photo on the back: damn, for a krautrock band, these guys have some seriously impressive, huge Afros!!! So, a lot of expectation / anticipation / long hair to live up to. And as it turns out, Wind don’t blow it (sorry). This album is fine indeed. It hits our “heavy” buttons but also has enough melodic and groove appeal that some of the folks here at AQ who, y’know, don’t spend time memorizing stuff out of krautrock reference books or obsessing about 1971 were into it too! So, we ordered some more, and here’s our review…

Wind were a five piece: guitar, organ, bass, drums, the singer sometimes busting out flute (yes!) and harmonica. With the organ, they’re in the “heavy progressive” mode of a lot of other early krautROCK bands, sounding as much like Deep Purple as they do Can. Both of which are cool by us, and the DO sound like both sometimes. Another once-popular krautrock band they remind us of is Birth Control (who we love, but sadly have never reviewed, relevant reissues seem scarce right now). So that means lots of thumping organ and fuzzy guitar riffs, which do indeed pound forth, especially on opener ‘What Do We Do Now’, and later on the even heavier ‘Dear Little Friend’, but even those songs have their shades of light as well as dark.

Wind featured raw sounds and tight playing, on this record definitely conveying an impassioned feeling, in part due to the singer’s often gruff, sandpapery voice, that at his toughest makes us think of Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty, though at times he can be quite smooth and soulful. His harmonica blowin’ on the 16 minute album-closer ‘Red Morningbird’ gives that song an evocative Ennio Morricone / Spaghetti Western vibe, also sounding a lot like one of Can’s Soundtracks tracks, and this album might be worth the price of admission alone just for that epic track. Certainly kraut-fans of Birth Control, Murphy Blend, Dies Irae, Gift, early Out Of Focus, will need to hear Wind’s Seasons, and like we said it has also been catching the ears of even those here who aren’t the biggest prog and proto-metal fiends.

Liner notes in German and English tell us that prior to the release of this album, the members of Wind were involved in recording an exploito-psych LP by “Corporal Gander’s Fire Dog Brigade”, and did an ill-fated, six-month tour of Vietnam (where there was a war going on, you may recall). But they survived all that to release this debut and another (much softer, we’re told) album in ’72, calling it a day not long after, having bad luck selling records despite good reviews and success on stage, having played clubs and festivals with the likes of Can, Family, East Of Eden, Pink Floyd and others.

At 40 years old, Aquarius is the oldest independent record store in San Francisco. We try to only carry music we love, and we’re always searching for more new, cool, weird and wonderful music. All of which we then share with you, our loyal customers.

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Sabbath Assembly Confirmed For Roadburn Festival 2011

Posted on Saturday, November 27th, 2010

We’re excited to report that Sabbath Assembly will be part of the 2011 Roadburn Festival lineup, set for Friday, April 15th at the Midi Theatre, Tilburg, Holland. Sabbath Assembly is a modern response to the musical activities of a cult known as The Process Church of the Final Judgment. In ...read more

Corrosion of Conformity's Reunited 'Animosity' Lineup Confirmed for SUNN O)))'s Curated Event At Roadburn Festival 2011

Posted on Friday, November 26th, 2010

The reunited classic “Animosity” lineup of Corrosion of Conformity — Mike Dean (bass, vocals), Woody Weatherman (guitar) and Reed Mullin (drums) —  has been confirmed for Sunn O)))‘s curated event at Roadburn Festival 2011, set for April 15th at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. Also appearing on the bill ...read more

Twitter Hashtag For Roadburn 2011 Announced: #Roadburn, please RT

Posted on Friday, November 26th, 2010

Here at Roadburn we can’t be bothered to worry about whether we’re up to date with the latest trends or hopelessly living in the past. Actually, you could say that we aim to defy the very boundaries of space and time with all of the psychedelic acts we book. Still, ...read more

Transylvanian Hungerrr: Wovenhand – An Interview With David Eugene Edwards

Posted on Friday, November 26th, 2010

I don’t know the exact date when the line-up for Roadburn 2011 went from ridiculous to outrageous, but one thing is certain: next year’s event will be the bomb. Having managed to skillfully dodge that damn volcano last year, the organizers seem to have been keen on making next year’s ...read more

Album of the day: Corrosion of Conformity – Animosity

Posted on Friday, November 26th, 2010

Praise for Corrosion of Conformity‘s Animosity from Allmusic.com: Released in 1985, this second full-length Corrosion of Conformity offering features Mike Dean (bass and vocals,) Reed Mullin (drums), and Woody Weatherman on guitar. Just as the N.C. group’s lineup constantly shifted, so did their music. While still plenty hyper, Animosity has ...read more

Samsara Blues Experiment Added To Afterburner Lineup

Posted on Thursday, November 25th, 2010

Roadburn is very pleased to announce that Samsara Blues Experiment will be part of the 2011 Afterburner lineup. Originally scheduled to play this years Roadburn Festival in April, guitarist Christian Peters was rushed to the hospital only seconds before the band got on stage. The remaining band members ended up ...read more

Godflesh: Quality Multi-Camera Footage From U.K.'s Supersonic Festival

Posted on Thursday, November 25th, 2010

Quality multi-camera video footage of seminal post-punk / industrial behemoths Godflesh performing at this year’s Supersonic Festival, which was held on October 22-24 in Birmingham, England, can be viewed below: Godflesh will perform its seminal debut full-length album, 1989′s Streetcleaner, in its entirety at the 2011 edition of the Roadburn ...read more

Album of the day: Riotgod – Riotgod

Posted on Thursday, November 25th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from Sea of Tranquility: Hailing from New Jersey, Riotgod exploded onto the hard rock scene with their 2010 self-titled debut. Taking one look at the lineup, it’s obvious that it’s one of the highlights of Riotgod, especially if you’re a fan of Monster Magnet’s rhythm section of Jim ...read more

Sourvein and Coffins Join Roadburn Festival Afterburner

Posted on Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

Roadburn is very excited to report that Sourvein, along with Coffins, have been confirmed for Roadburn Festival Afterburner, set for Sunday, April 17th, 013 venue, Tilburg, Holland. Featuring former members of 13 and Buzzov’en in their ranks, Sourvein offers low-tuned, balls out, southern sludge metal. Word on the streets is ...read more